Balochistan Govt Reaches Agreement with Martyred Police Families, Ending Quetta Sit-In
The Balochistan government and a multi-party alliance have reportedly reached an agreement with the families of policemen martyred in attacks in Ziarat and Hanna Urak, leading to the end of a nine-day sit-in protest in Quetta. The agreement includes the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the incidents. This development followed a province-wide shutter-down strike observed in solidarity with the protesting families, during which shops and markets remained closed across numerous districts, significantly disrupting normal life. Traders' organizations and opposition parties supported the strike, warning of further action if demands were not met. Ambulances were on standby to transport the bodies of the seven martyred policemen once the protest concluded. Home Minister Ziaullah Langove signed the agreement on behalf of the government, while Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal signed for the protesting families. CM’s Aide Shahid Hameed Rind confirmed the judicial commission's mandate to probe the attacks in Hanna Urak and the Mangi dam area of Ziarat. Earlier, families of five tribesmen killed in the Hanna Urak attack had ended their protest after the safe return of abducted individuals, but the police families continued their demonstration. Provincial ministers had previously engaged in negotiations with protesters. Food Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar had urged the formation of a committee solely comprising the heirs of the martyrs for effective talks and appealed for the immediate burial of the deceased.
The resolution of the Quetta sit-in highlights the complex interplay between public grief, state response, and political mobilization in Balochistan. The government's agreement to form a judicial commission addresses demands for accountability, a common recourse in such tragic events. However, the prolonged protest and province-wide strike underscore underlying public distrust and the perceived inadequacy of initial security measures. The involvement of a multi-party alliance and traders' organizations suggests broader societal concerns beyond immediate victim families, indicating a potential for sustained pressure on governance and security frameworks. Moving forward, the efficacy of the judicial commission and the government's commitment to implementing its findings will be crucial in rebuilding confidence and preventing future escalations of public dissent stemming from security lapses.
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